[USER]

im wondering since my electric bill is so high what if I turn off my water heater and unplug my fridge overnight and turn it back on in the morning.

I’m curious about whether turning off my water heater and unplugging my fridge during the night could lead to noticeable savings on my electric bill.

I’ve read that large appliances, especially those that run continuously, like water heaters and refrigerators, consume a significant amount of electricity.

So, I’m wondering if it’s worth the effort to turn them off for 6–8 hours while I’m asleep.

Has anyone tried this method, and did it actually lower your bill?

Are there any downsides to doing this, such as affecting the fridge’s performance or damaging the appliances over time?

I also wonder if constantly turning them on and off could cause them to use more energy when they start back up.

I’d love to hear from anyone who’s experimented with this or has expert knowledge on the topic.

Any advice or insights on whether this is an effective way to save on electricity would be greatly appreciated!

[Karen]

Don’t unplug fridge that could cost more than savings would be

[Jessica]

It costs more to catch up than it does to maintain!

[Jennifer]

I find the biggest energy saver (for me at least) is adjusting your thermostat and running a fan instead of making the ac do all the work by itself.

[Jonathan]

Not sure about water heater but the fridge will have to run it’s compressor at high energy to get it back up operating temperature, and eventually the compressor will fail from being overworked

[Angela]

If you use AC, increase the temp a bit or use it less, that’s the biggest draw

[Carolyn]

I save about 40 bucks a month by turning my hot water heater off. I turn it on about 30 mins before taking a shower, then right back off.

[Barbara]

Not hot water heater..it would take more to heat the water

[Pamela]

Unplug everything you don’t use and plug it in when needed.
Unplugging the hot water and refrigerator would make zero sense.

[John]

If it isn’t already. Insulate the water heater.
Also, with those two appliances.

Turning them on and off like that might cause damage.

[Christy]

This has worked for me… 1. Stop using the dryer and line dry.

2. Bake more than one dish at a time, bake as many dishes as your oven will hold.

3. Turn the thermostat up.

4. Get your water heater and heating/cooling unit checked.

4. Unplug everything, except fridge and freezer. Hope this helps.

[Jean]

I would not unplug the frig with your food in it. You can unplug everything else.

[Donna]

Not the fridge, but in Switzerland people’s hot water heaters are on a timer. They come on early in the AM, & you get 1 tank of hot water in the morning & again in the evening for dinner prep & bathing.

Then they shut off.

Tank is smaller than US version.

Only reason I know this is I stayed in a Swiss home, but it was in the late 70’s. I assume it was to save on electricity.

Heaven help you if there was more than 3 people who wanted to shower.

There was a reset button you could push, but it was annoying when you got hit with cold water.

[Sarah]

Theres a reason no one does this, it doesnt help. Maintaining the same temp will always cost less than trying to get back up to it.

Think about driving.

If yoir constantly going down to 0 mph and back up to 60 mph its more vroom vroom than if you jist stayed at 60 mph.

[Amanda]

That’s a great way to risk food poisoning and kill the appliances early

[Ange]

No, it’s going to take it longer to get to the right temp causing it to cost more. It’s cheaper to maintain temp

[Jone]

That is not a good idea at all. You will have spoiled food and a risk of salmonella. Messing with your water heater can be a very expensive mistake.

[Becky]

I turn off breakers for washer and dryer until I need them. Also, for water heater I turn it on twice a day to heat up.

It’s just me, I don’t need it to turn on every time I wash my hands.

Unplug everything you don’t use. This has saved me like $30 a month.

[Catrina]

Unplug everything that is not running. Things that are plugged in still pull electricity even when off. Lights, toasters, etc

[Melissa]

Unplug items like coffee pots, lamps, TV’s you’re not using. Even your washer/dryer if they’re electric.

Hang clothes on the line to dry, and wash clothes once a week.

I quit separating my towels and now just wash them with like colors.

If I have a lot of towels and washcloths, then I’ll do a load of just them.

I only separate husbands work clothes, because he’s a mechanic. I put all our other clothes in together. I hang what I can on the line- towels and jeans are the only things I use the dryer for anymore.

Raise your AC temp. I moved mine from 70° last year, to 74° this year.

I do use an oscillating fan to keep air moving in the house, mostly because of hot flashes (what fun).

Turn off all lights when you leave a room. Replace bulbs with lower wattage, or LED.
I’ve dropped my electric bill by about $35.

Probably could go lower, but hubby is only willing to do without so much LOL.

[Kym]

You can turn your water heater temperature down but don’t turn those things off

[Denise]

My central AC was really burning alot of power, so I bought a few window units and only cool the rooms I need. My power bill went way down after that .

[Carolyn]

I close all blinds and curtains during the day in summer while gone from home. It really helps keep the house cool!

I always run a fan along with AC.

And I unplug any small appliances I’m not using, airfryer, coffee maker, tea kettle, computer).

[Teri]

I saved 45 – 50 per month by not using the dryer. I hang everything outside.

[Amanda]

Save $ on your fridge by adding a few more water bottles each day until you can’t fit anymore in there. The full fridge will use less energy.

You can do the same in the freezer.

Even a couple of gallons in the freezer will do the trick.

[Deborah]

If you use a dishwasher, look for the option not to dry them. I just leave the door open when they are done.

As for the water heater, I would try turning down the temperature a few degrees before I would turn it off.

I would not, under any circumstances unplug the refrigerator.

The motor is not made to be turned on an off daily and it will have to work extra hard to cool again.

[Sallie]

I turn my stove/oven, dish washer, washer and dryer off at the breaker after I’m finished using them. It saves me about $20 a month.

[Julie]

Unplug all the unneeded appliances overnight like a microwave, DVD, TV. That sort of thing. Surprising what you’ll save.

[Jamie]

It would cost to much to get both back to the correct temp. Plus unplugging your fridge could cause it to maybe not restart. I wouldn’t chance it.

Instead don’t use your dryer. Hang outside or inside.

Turn off the ac and open windows, run a fan of you have too.

Don’t use your oven.

[Author]

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